Why Hunter Gaddis could be the biggest X-factor in the Guardians’ bullpen in 2026 

Cleveland’s loss of Emmanuel Clase last season impacted almost every pitcher on the roster. Starters like Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams and others suddenly had more pressure on them to go longer into games. Middle relievers like Jakob Junis and Kolby Allard became more important. 

And high-leverage relievers Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis moved up even higher on Stephen Vogt’s trust tree after previously occupying some middle relief roles. 

While Smith got a ton of attention for how he navigated his first taste of being a full-time closer, Gaddis was quietly just as solid while working as the eighth inning man ahead of Smith. 

There’s a chance he could be even better in 2026 

Hunter Gaddis could be the most important pitcher in the Guardians' bullpen in 2026

It’s hard to believe that Gaddis is here given how his MLB career started. After quietly rising through the Guardians’ minor league ranks as a starter, he made his MLB debut in 2022 and allowed an eye-popping 15 runs in 8 1/3 innings across two spot starts. 

While he was a bit better in 2023 (4.50 ERA in 42 innings), he spent most of the year shuttling between Triple-A and the majors. He looked like the classic Quad-A pitcher who was too good for the minors but not good enough to consistently get MLB hitters out. 

Then he got moved to the bullpen and his career changed.  

After moonlighting as a reliever during that 2023 season Gaddis became a full-time reliever in 2024 in part due to injuries to Trevor Stephan, James Karinchak and Sam Hentges. Gaddis responded by posting a 1.57 ERA in 74 2/3 innings in relief while becoming an incredibly important high-leverage arm. 

Although his numbers took a step back in 2025 thanks to him allowing more hard contact (3.11 ERA in 66 2/3 innings), Gaddis got better as his role got more important. 

After posting a 3.69 ERA in the first half of the season, Gaddis had a 2.66 ERA in 23 2/3 innings after Emmanuel Clase was suspended and allowed just two earned runs in September. He also showed his ninth inning chops by picking up his first career save(s) after Clase left the roster. 

Now Gaddis is going to be just as important to a Guardians bullpen that added seemingly every free agent reliever on the market.  Even though part of the reason the Guardians’ front office added so many relievers is because of Clase’s suspension, Gaddis and Smith helped mitigate the loss. 

Even if someone like Shawn Armstrong may work the eighth inning on occasion instead of Gaddis, expect Stephen Vogt to go to Gaddis early and often during 2026.